Best off in my pocket.

I received an email from my solicitor saying they owed us £200. Money retained from when we purchased our flat.

I've had it paid into my account, I'm trying to build up some savings towards Beano's next vet bill.

I'm making savings where I can and trying to live on my pension. We have money in savings  but Steve is working his way through them.

We don't have a mortgage as we paid cash for our flat.

Currently this is where my money goes per month.

£358 my share of the bills for the flat.

£50 fruit and veg box.

£6 at the pet shop for Beano.

£50 trips out with Betty.

£8.99 Amazon Prime plus any purchases made.

£12. Mobile phone bill.

Hearing aids.

Steve's current rant du jour is hearing aids. His are national health and free. He only wears them when he goes out, never indoors, he complains ceaselessly about how painful they are and how useless. 

I pay for mine, the first pair, from Specsavers, weren't as good as they claimed and the aftercare was appalling. My current pair are from Boots, Jennie took me last week to get them checked out. They are now back to working properly. I wear them all day, every day, they are not uncomfortable, in fact I sometimes forget I'm wearing them. I have been known to get into bed with them still in my ears. I have another year of free updates and adjustments, as my hearing is still deteriorating I may then need to buy replacements, I'm saving money in case this happens. We have quite a lot of money in savings but Steve feels that paying for my hearing aids would eat into our savings and that I need to go back to national health aids.

Weather

I've always been of the opinion that there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.

I have to say I'm currently revising this, it's bitterly cold here today and damp with an icy wind. I'm still walking Beano with coat, hat and gloves.

Even Beano didn't want to go far on his morning walk. We met a lady with a lovely grey staffy pup, I've no idea if it was male or female. I assumed male as Beano started to grumble. I couldn't resist having a stroke.

We're now home and I'm having a second breakfast of a banana and a mug of mint tea. I have mint growing by my door so it's easy to pick a few sprigs as I walk in.

Betty and I shopped y'day, she is catering for a visiting bowls team this weekend. After shopping we stopped at the nearby Toby Carvery for lunch, I had turkey, Betty had pork. No dessert so it was £6.50 each, very reasonable. Steve was meeting Bob so Beano was home alone for an hour he was pleased to see me when I returned. Steve didn't get home until around 7 and was in bed and asleep before 9.

Walking with a list on.

Y'day I had to take my stick to lean on when I went out, today I don't need my stick but I can't walk in a straight line.

Nemmind, I'm walking faster again.

My balance is off, and I'm dizzy, it's my ears that are the problem. I had them checked out years ago and these attacks don't last as long as they used to. They used to last a couple of weeks but now only a couple of days. When I was working, bending over to sort out the copier jams was difficult when I felt dizzy.

I was walking Beano, waiting to cross the road to head home. A car stopped to let me across, I realised after a few moments it was my daughter, she lives at the opposite end of the village. I lurched across the road with Beano and when I got to the other side, stopped and waved to DD and noticed dgd, Maggie was in the car too.

This weeks veg box.

 

Another nice selection of fruit and veg for this week, I'll share it with Betty again.

Not a good day!

I had to admit to Steve that I'm struggling with my eyesight and my hearing. He is extremely annoyed though I'm not sure what he expects me to do about it!

He was out this morning, he  ordered some stuff from B&Q, he got what he ordered but it wasn't what he wanted. So off he went with Harry to swap it out for what he did want.

I didn't go to the summer house this afternoon, there seems little point if I can't hear what people are saying and I can no longer see well enough to lip read.

Roll on Thursday hopefully my hearing aids can be sorted.

A nosedive.

I'm struggling at present, my sight has taken another nosedive. Hopefully I'll adjust to it soon. Unfortunately it's coincided with my hearing aid developing a fault. I have an appointment on Thursday to get my aids sorted

Yesterday I bottomed out the kitchen, today it's the turn of the bathroom. I probably don't do a very good job but it will have to do. Steve will mostly empty the bins but that's about his limit. I'd quite like to get a cleaner in but can't afford one. I could cancel my veg box but I'm really enjoying eating fresh veg and fruit. As Steve does all the shopping I don't always get what I want. Steve will often by tinned or frozen fruit instead of fresh. He can't see the point of veg!

Pavement special

On one of  yesterday's dog walks I stopped to talk to a South African lady. She has three small children and a small black dog.

She asked me what breed Beano is. I explained that he was a mixed breed but that I wasn't sure what mix.

I told her that I used to refer to him as a mongrel but had been told that was no longer acceptable.

She said that in South Africa such dogs are referred to as Pavement Specials, which made me laugh.

Beano goes to the vet.

My neighbour Harry very kindly gave Beano and I a lift to the vets  this morning.

Beano's dew claws were very overgrown. Time was I'd have clipped them myself but I can no longer see to do them.

I can't say I was looking forward to the bill, I spent about £1000 on Beano when he had viral gastroenteritis.

Beano was booked in with one of the nurses but ended up seeing the vet as the nurse didn't feel able to proceed without help. I explained that I was happy for him to be muzzled even though I thought it was unlikely he'd bite.

Beano was offered antibiotics as he bled when the claws were clipped but I explained that he wouldn't take them.

To my absolute amazement there was no charge. Usually the vet seems to charge for breathing the air in the waiting room.

There have been mutterings in the media about the large vet groups basically price fixing. Obviously the vets have taken heed.

His dew claws have been trimmed and he seems a lot more comfortable now.

Wednesday

My Oddbox arrived this morning and I've shared it with Betty, in it there were potatoes, onions, spinach, aubergine, a huge cauliflower and some apples and oranges. 

Steve had an audiologist appointment this morning, I went into town with my daughter. 

She had her face threaded whilst Beano and I wandered about. It was bitterly cold so we kept moving. Hopefully when the weather is better we can have lunch out.

I went to the summer house for the quiz when I got home, I nearly didn't bother as I was knackered but I made the effort. I only stayed for the quiz and gave Betty her share of the Oddbox.

I'm desperate for a good night's sleep, Beano is waking me up twice a night. He doesn't want to go out, he just seems to want company.

It's been rough.

We've had a few difficult days. The weather has been nice and sunny though not particularly warm.

I'm not sure what triggered Steve but he was truly unpleasant on Saturday, it may have been because I didn't provide any food for him. 

It may have been because I told him I wasn't prepared to go to his friends forthcoming wedding, he's still cogitating on that information. I explained that being unable to hear, made large gatherings difficult. I didn't mention my dislike of being left at a table with people I don't know and can't hear for hours on end, or of struggling to get a rat arsed husband to bed in a hotel room. 

My oldest son is getting married at some point and if I'm invited I would like to go to that. There would be family members around who would help me.

Today I've done a machine load of washing, walked the dog  and will vacuum round, such excitement!

Trouble at the big house!

Not long after we moved here we had a visit from a man, Mike, who worked for the housing association. He was condescending and patronising and when Steve mentioned he was thinking of moving one of the kitchen cupboards Mike insisted that this was not allowed. I asked why, since we owned the flat and no response was forthcoming.

Having spoken to other residents it seems that Mike, along with other staff can't grasp the concept that we own our flats. They are used to dealing with tenants and love to instigate many petty rules. Most of which are designed to make the residents lives miserable.

One of our residents,  when complaining about a faulty doorstep. (Caused by poor workmanship by a company chosen by the HA) was told to be grateful she wasn't living in the Ukraine!

The resident of the top flat decided to have the shower removed and have a bath fitted instead. This all went ahead successfully until the resident realised that the water tank was not sufficient to fill the bath. At this point our manager was on holiday, the cover manager realised that changes were being made. The resident was informed that she wasn't allowed to change her water tank. The cover manager was so rude to the plumber he downed tools and refused to return. The resident was left for weeks without sufficient hot water to fill her bath.

Lets put this to bed.

Answers to some questions.

Why does Steve have access to my Amazon account?

We have Amazon prime, it's a family account, a few of us use it, I just need him to remember to tell me when he's buying something.

Why don't I leave? 

Where would I go? In an emergency either of my daughter's would take me in for a couple of days but not permanently. Neither of them have room for me they both have more children than bedrooms. My son's are both in rented accommodation where no dogs are allowed so what would I do with Beano? When we first left the boat, Steve wanted to rent somewhere. As we couldn't provide proof of any previous rental history we had to pay £2000 pcm for an air bnb. I wanted to buy a property for security. Steve still wanted to rent but soon realised that there was a huge waiting list in this area for sheltered rental property. We purchased this property after six months of paying £2000 a month. If we sold this place Steve would be entitled to 50%. This wouldn't leave me enough to buy anywhere else. The rental market here is still desperately short of sheltered properties. Most also don't allow pets. I like living here, there are some nice people and some that are a PITA, those I avoid!

Why don't I make Steve go to the Drs?

We have two part time Drs covering two surgeries, each surgery has a Dr on site for one or two mornings a week. We can't change surgeries as the only two nearby aren't taking on new patients. If we make an appointment it is cancelled or changed repeatedly. Also Steve doesn't feel the need to visit the Dr, so how am I supposed to force him to attend? In Steve's world he is fine, it's everyone else who has a problem.

I'm just living my life the best way I can, I struggle with being deaf and losing my sight but try to make the best of things. If you don't like my blog then don't read it.

What a fibber

Steve has been making much of the fact that he's buying much less lager than usual. He's still buying 2 to 4 trays a week, but not the six he usually buys.

I've been less than impressed as he's going to a pub 4 or 5 days a week.

A couple of days ago I went for a snooze as I wasn't feeling too good.

I didn't get much sleep as Steve was wandering in and out the room.

As I lay there I noticed Steve going out the flat, he was only gone a few minutes so I realised he's gone to the cupboard at the end of the corridor.

He soon  returned carrying a tray of lager, he's not buying less, he's just storing it outside the flat!

New wardrobe.

 I have sex!

Sorry, let me retype that.

I have socks!

Until I got my new wardrobe all my underwear, nightware and t-shirts were crammed together in one small drawer.

Now I have my new wardrobe, complete with two drawers (though only one works) a hanging rail and five shelves, I've been able to sort my clothes out. 

This has meant I've been able to find all six pairs of socks that I own, instead of struggling to manage with two pairs and occasional bare feet.

Lost dog.

Last night around 10 p.m. I let Beano out for his last widdle. All of a sudden there was a noise that scared Beano. 

He took off like the hounds of hell were after him, he ran up the path and off site.

I chased after him but I was too slow, couldn't see which way he'd gone.

I searched the nearby roads, calling him but no joy, eventually I went back to the flat to put my shoes on and to check he hadn't doubled back in me.

As I left the flat to continue my search Beano came barreling down the path towards me.

I was so relieved to see him! Steve got out of bed to tell me I wasn't to shout at Beano, I wasn't, and I don't. I just made a huge fuss of him and after an hour I took him out again. This time on his lead!

New wardrobe

Allegedly my new wardrobe will be here tomorrow between 7 a.m.and 11 a.m.

I shan't hold my breath!

I'm going to bowls club tomorrow for lunch, I'm not intending to play as I can't see well enough.

Tip run.

Harry has taken Steve to the tip, Harry had a shower tray to dispose of and Steve has taken my old wardrobe.

They will then go to Morrison's for breakfast.

I need to make an appointment at the vet for Beano, to get his dew claws trimmed, they are very overgrown. I've asked Harry if he'd be able to give me a lift a and he has agreed.

It's chilly and breezy here, Beano has had two walks, during both of which, we were blown along the road.

Keeping secrets

I have two secrets I'm keeping from Steve.

Firstly I can hardly see out of my left eye, I knew it would happen, I've been expecting it. I haven't told Steve because he will immediately launch into a tirade about how much worse his eyesight is than mine. It's not a bloody competition but he will be very aggrieved if he realises my eyesight is worse than his.

Secondly, my trips out with Betty are coming to an end. Her bowls club has restarted and she plays daily. I knew it was coming but I've also kept this a secret from Steve, I know he will be over the moon. I will find his smug satisfaction hard to cope with.

I'm thinking of a walking to Lidl to buy fresh rolls today, I'll check with my neighbours to see if anyone else wants any.

Peace and quiet.

Steve's gone in to town so I've had a peaceful day, I'm not expecting him back until 6 ish.

One of the residents is going for fish and chips tonight, I had money on me when it was discussed so I was able to be included.

I need to get some more cash out the bank soon.

Life is quiet and boring again now, Betty's bowls club has restarted so there will be very few trips out, if any. Nemmind it was lovely while it lasted.

New wardrobe

My new wardrobe was due today sometime between 8 and 3.

Steve got up at just after 8 o'clock and moved furniture around to accommodate the new wardrobe.

At 10:30 I received an email telling me it would not now be delivered!

Things are a little tetchy  here!

Cold and damp today.

Another cold damp day here, Beano didn't want to walk far as he hates the rain.

I've decided to empty the airing cupboard and re-fold all the towels, it will only take me ten minutes as there are only two shelves.

I'm not sure what else to I shall do, probably read for a while.

I haven't told Steve that Betty's bowls club is restarting next week. This means she'll be too busy to take me out weekly as she plays everyday. Steve is racking his brains to think of things to fill in on his white board. 

Smelly wardrobe.

The smelly wardrobe was here when we moved in, along with a chest of drawers and two bedside tables.

These items were left by the previous resident and as we'd been living on a boat for six years we had no furniture of our own.

We purchased a brand new bed and two units for the living room. We also bought a small dining table and four chairs.

We bought a sofa, an armchair and a nest of tables second hand.

This is all we have and all we need.

Whilst I was out having coffee with Betty and Harry y'day, Steve took the doors off my wardrobe ready to dismantle the rest of it the day before the new wardrobe arrives.

When I got home Steve explained that he expected me to keep all my clothes in the new wardrobe. I was puzzled and asked what clothes? It seems I have a large collection of clothes that I am unaware of. I explained that these were all my clothes but Steve doesn't believe me. He doesn't want to argue about it but he isn't prepared to keep sharing his wardrobe with me once my new wardrobe has arrived. 

I've let it go for now, but if he starts on the subject again I will ask him to show me this large collection of clothes that I am unaware of!

Jittery

 I've just got back from having coffee with Betty and Harry, we went to a cafe near Asda. Unfortunately I forgot to specify decaf coffee, so now I'm jittery.

We also went into Asda, I bought stock cubes, two bananas and a red pepper. Betty has given me some cooked lamb mince to fill the pepper with.

I will put it in the fridge as Steve has decided to have a Chinese takeaway for this evening's meal. I  will eat the stuffed pepper tomorrow.

Steve has taken the doors off the old wardrobe in preparation for the new one arriving. Unfortunately this means the bedroom stinks of smelly feet. 

Oh well, this too shall pass!